The Reproductive System of the Emperor Penguin

Penguins may take three to eight years to reach sexuality maturity. On average, breeding does not begin until the fifth year, and a few males do not breed until the eighth year. Breeding seasons differ from species to species. Most species have an annual breeding season which is spring through summer but the emperor penguin is different. Emperor penguins breed annually during the antarctic winter, June through August. During the emperor breeding season, air temperature may drop to -60ºC (-76ºF) and winds may reach speeds up to 200 kph (124 mph). For most of the winter, antarctic penguins live in an environment of darkness or half-light. Emperor Penguins have sexual intercourse in a similar way to humans in that they rub their sexual organs against each other. It is also very different in that their sexual organs are located on the inside of their bodies. All Emperor Penguins have a small hole between their legs known as cloaca. Underneath the surface are the male or female reproductive organs that produce sperm or eggs. For sexual intercourse, the female penguin lies on her belly and the male rubs his cloaca against hers and sperm is transferred between the two. If the sperm reaches the egg, the egg becomes fertilized. The mates have sexual intercourse many times during the breeding season to increase the chances of producing a fertilized egg. As you can see in the picture below, is the male and the females cloaca. This is how male and female emperor penguins mate.

Male and the Female penguin's cloaca

Click the Picture for a video of penguins mating!

Skip to 1:20 and sorry that it is in not in English... Couldn't find anything else